With the help of a generous landlord, the two were able to turn the basement at 593 Bloomfield Ave. in Bloomfield into a four-studio room school offering more than 30 classes with students coming from all over the county and state.

Welcome to the NJ School of Dramatic Arts.

The non-profit school, which got its start at the former 12 Miles West Theatre Company across the street, is embarking on its 10th year in Bloomfield.

And its location has been one of its greatest assets. "We found there was a great need in this area for affordable acting classes for adults and kids of all ages," said Sapoff.

"Being in Bloomfield, our location was really the best part of it. It's central. It's really a diverse group of people who have come to Bloomfield," added Baur.

Actors come from Bloomfield and surrounding communities, and from as far away as Pennsylvania to the west, New York state to the north, and as far south as New Brunswick and Trenton.

The school held its first open house, when Sapoff and Baur prayed for 50 people to come. They ended up with double the number of registrants.

With a staff of nine, including the directors and teachers, the school offers opportunities to learn acting through six levels of classes, three improv troupes, and other projects consisting of one-act plays, and an annual full-length play. NJSDA works with nearby Bloomfield College, utilizing space at the Westminster Arts Center there.

Looking back on the school's decade in existence, it's the exposure to the arts that the school has offered so many people. Sapoff said his biggest joy has been watching students come in their first day "petrified", then watching them go through the program. "People too shy to say their name...watching them take tremendous risks," Sapoff said. "It feels great."

As with just about any struggling theatre arts institution, the School of Dramatic Arts has had its own share of financial concerns. The school relies on donors and tuition fees to operate. Even with the array of options the school offers, Sapoff and Baur want to offer more - but need the donations to match their desires.

"There is such a need in this area for more classes," Sapoff said. He wants to make available after-school workshops for free, for kids who can't afford to pay for lessons.

The school currently offers scholarships based on talent and financial need, as well as work-study opportunities. Sapoff and Baur said they'd like to be able to offer more of that to the community, but as of now, the school doesn't have the funds to support the endeavor.

Sapoff also said he'd like to enable students to get college credit for classes; in order to do that, NJSDA would have to be certified with the state.

Another wish is expanding opportunities, free of charge, for the school's youth, or more specifically, the Encore Youth Program. The Encore Youth Theatre program is open to students in grades eight to 12 and in their first year of college, who are planning to pursue a career in theatre. Trained by professionals in the acting business, young adults and teens get the experience in aspects of putting on a full-scale production

In early January, there were 34 kids enrolled in the youth program; they will be putting on the musical "Hairspray" this weekend.

There is a party planned to celebrate the school's 10th birthday, with details forthcoming. The celebration will be another opportunity to fund raise, Sapoff and Baur said.

To Sapoff, publicity has always been the biggest struggle - "getting the word out and letting people know we're here," he said.

But with another decade ahead, he hopes that will no longer be the case. "In 10 years, I hope we'll be the largest non-university dramatic arts program in New Jersey."

"Hairspray," based on John Waters' 1988 film, will be performed at the Westminster Arts Center, 467 Franklin St., Bloomfield on Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.